As Qin Chu observed the Vermilion Bird Fire and the Vermilion Bird Stone, he noticed that the Vermilion Bird Fire was not absorbing energy from the Vermilion Bird Stone; instead, it was enveloping and nourishing it.
The Vermilion Bird Stone glowed with a flickering, pulsating light, like a beating heart.
The Vermilion Bird Stone truly contained a secret! Qin Chu was certain now; if it were an ordinary fire-attribute treasure, its energy would have long been absorbed by the Vermilion Bird Sacred Fire.
With this discovery, Qin Chu Cultivated while observing, wanting to see how things would develop.
After Cultivating all night, and as he was about to finish, Qin Chu hadn't noticed any other changes.
Retrieving the Vermilion Bird Fire back into his Dantian, Qin Chu put away the Vermilion Bird Stone, ending his night of Cultivation.
While Qin Chu was practicing his sword techniques, Shang Shuyu, Granny Yu, and Qin Lingxi all came to his courtyard, and the servants also brought breakfast, as for the two fellows Lang Lang and Qian Xun, they didn't come over.
Eating, Qin Chu looked at Qin Lingxi, "Aunt, can you do me a favor and arrange for someone to send some resources to the Azure Cloud Sect in Nanyan State?"
"Of course!" Qin Lingxi nodded. Her nephew hadn't forgotten his roots, and she supported that.
After breakfast, Qin Chu took out his Pill Furnaces and began Alchemy. He used three Pill Furnaces simultaneously, starting with Tier 3 Medicinal Pills. He refined a batch of high-grade Spirit Origin Pills and high-grade Heavenly Origin Pills, then took out a Sword Intent Grass.
Seeing the Sword Intent Grass, Granny Yu and Qin Lingxi were both surprised, because the Sword Intent Grass was too precious; its value was immeasurable, and for those who needed it, they would risk their lives to obtain it.
"Senior Mo Daozi of the Azure Cloud Sect has comprehended the Sword Spirit Realm but cannot comprehend Sword Intent, preventing him from becoming a top Sword Cultivator. This is very cruel for him. He helped me deduce my background, which is how I learned what happened twenty years ago. He also took great care of me, and the Startling God Sword Art I Cultivate is also his painstaking effort," Qin Chu explained the reason for wanting to send the Sword Intent Grass.
"Aunt understands. If it were ordinary resources, just arranging anyone would be fine, but now we need to arrange core personnel to deliver it to be at ease," Qin Lingxi said.
"Here are two good treasured swords. Please give them to two Azure Cloud Sect Disciples named Bai Yu and Er Pang, and also help me ask if they are willing to come to Central State," Qin Chu said, taking out two long swords, spoils of war, and placing them in front of him.
Qin Lingxi found a Tier 6 Elder of the Vermilion Bird Sacred Family and, taking Qin Chu's resources, arranged for him to go to Nanyan State.
Afterward, Qin Longhan sent someone to find Qin Chu and Qin Lingxi, as they were to go to the ancestral hall to offer incense to their ancestors.
Watching Qin Chu and Qin Lingxi leave the courtyard, Granny Yu nodded, "Yu'er, you didn't misjudge him. Qin Chu is a man of loyalty and integrity. His occasional ruthlessness is forced upon him. Such a man can bring you happiness."
A smile appeared on Shang Shuyu's face. She was very satisfied with Qin Chu; one could say Qin Chu was the man she chose herself. If she hadn't insisted, this engagement would have been dissolved.
Upon arriving at the Family ancestral hall, Qin Chu, led by Qin Longhan and Qin Longxuan, offered incense to the Family ancestors. This was Qin Chu's first time offering incense to the Family ancestors, also signifying his official return.
Coming out of the Family ancestral hall, Qin Longhan patted Qin Chu's shoulder, "Your fiancée is here, you must entertain her well and lay a good foundation for future harmonious coexistence. She is a princess and a treasure in her home, and it's the same in our Vermilion Bird Sacred Family; you must not let her suffer."
"Grandfather, please rest assured, Qin Chu will handle these matters well," Qin Chu said with a smile. He felt that his grandfather and aunt still treated him like a child.
Returning to his Young Sparrow courtyard, Qin Chu and Shang Shuyu began to spar, honing their sword techniques through practice.
Finding that her sword attacks couldn't put any pressure on Qin Chu, a faint Azure Dragon appeared behind Shang Shuyu. Then, the Azure Dragon enveloped her body, and Shang Shuyu's speed increased. She began to use her movement speed and attack speed to counter Qin Chu's sword techniques.
However, Qin Chu's arms possessed the strength of two elephants, and his sword parries were simply unreasonable. Shang Shuyu's long sword could only dodge, as being touched would cause it to be knocked off course.
"I'm not fighting anymore, you're too sly!" After fighting for a while, Shang Shuyu stopped. Her speed was fast, but with Qin Chu's basic sword techniques enhanced with speed, plus the strength in his arms, she couldn't break through!
"Senior Sister, your speed is too fast, what kind of unique skill is it?" Qin Chu asked, looking at Shang Shuyu.
"It's not a unique skill, it's the second Awakening of my Bloodline. My father said that my Bloodline purity is very high, and I've just awakened to the second level. It needs some time to stabilize, and in a while, there's hope for a third Awakening. Then I'll deal with you," Shang Shuyu said with a smile.
"Speed... With speed, you gain the initiative. Just now, I was on passive defense, and even if I took the offensive, it would be difficult to keep up with Senior Sister's speed. If Senior Sister fights with others, she will have a huge advantage," Qin Chu said.
"The third level Awakening of the Bloodline is crucial; it will have attribute enhancements. Qin Chu, you've seen the assassin from the White Tiger Sacred Family's Xileng branch. Why is her Origin Qi extremely cold? That's the ability of the third level of the Bloodline," Granny Yu said to Qin Chu.
"Granny knows I've seen the assassin from the White Tiger Sacred Family's Xileng branch?" Qin Chu was surprised.
Granny Yu nodded, "Now that the general situation is chaotic, some news, the Sacred Martial Enforcement no longer blocks."
"So that's how it is. The Origin Qi energy of that assassin from the White Tiger Sacred Family's Xileng branch was extremely cold. At first, I didn't understand, and I clashed with her once, resulting in one of my arms going numb, unable to even wield my long sword," Qin Chu said. He was aware of the situation Granny Yu described; he was able to withstand that assassin from the White Tiger Sacred Family's Xileng branch because he had the Vermilion Bird Sacred Fire within him.
"Both of you are direct descendants of the Family, and the purity of your Bloodlines is not an issue. As you develop, both of you have great futures," Granny Yu said to Qin Chu and Shang Shuyu.
That day, Qin Chu was chatting with Shang Shuyu when Qin Lingxi came to Qin Chu's courtyard.
"Qin Chu, there's news from outside," Qin Lingxi said after sitting down.
"Did you find the White Tiger Sacred Family?" Qin Chu asked, looking at Qin Lingxi.
"There are clues, but they can't be confirmed. Aunt is talking about something else. Another great battle has occurred on the edge of the boundless sea, and the owner of the Black Prison has again slain another powerful expert who crossed the sea from another continent," Qin Lingxi said.
"Aunt, just how strong is that old man? He kills people with every move, and they're all masters!" Qin Chu was shocked. He hadn't expected the old man to be so domineering.
"I don't know. Everyone who understood his strength has died, because every time he makes a move, it's to kill," Qin Lingxi told Qin Chu the detailed situation.
